Principle 1: Each learner engages in a coherent CTE system, codesigned by education and industry.

The reimagined partnership between education and industry leverages common goals, language, and strategies. Employers are collaborative partners throughout the CTE continuum, and education is at the table in economic and workforce conversations.

To achieve this future, we must:

• Develop an aligned statewide talent strategy;
• Standardize a common language across partners; and
• Organize employer partners to provide a collective voice.

Principle 2: Each learner participates in a CTE system that is transparent and accountable to all partners.

The return on investment for all, including learners, employer partners, and educators, is clear and communicated, with decisions made based on outcomes and impact. Data are used regularly by all partners to continuously improve and maintain quality outcomes for learners, employers, and communities.

To achieve this future, we must:

• Design and employ a data strategy that centers outcomes;
• Improve the ability of data to drive decisions and support shared priorities; and
• Make data publicly available and understandable.

Principle 3: Each learner experiences a learning journey that seamlessly integrates CTE and core academics. 

All learners engage in educational experiences that link academic, technical, and transferable skills and are surrounded by other opportunities, like work-based learning and career exploration, that bolster that learning and career readiness. All educators, school administrators, counselors, advising professionals, and partners understand the value of CTE within core academic subjects and advanced coursework.

To achieve this future, we must:

• Dismantle the silos between technical education and core academic subjects;
• Equip every learner with transferable career readiness skills; and 
• Expand and strengthen work-based learning, career exploration, and career advising for all learners.

Principle 4: Each learner has access to personalized and flexible pathways. 

All learners have the opportunity and agency to make decisions about their futures in a system that balances flexibility and quality to connect learners’ unique interests to industry needs. Program design considers flexible pacing, multiple entry and exit points, the implementation of Cross-Cutting Career Clusters^®, and opportunities to demonstrate learning through competencies.

To achieve this future, we must:

• Modernize program design to allow for more learner choice;
• Strengthen the CTE workforce by investing in professional development and instructor credentialing; and
• Recognize and signal skills and competencies in an industry-aligned way.

Principle 5: Each learner develops a sense of empowerment and belonging through CTE. 

Learners feel confident in themselves and their abilities, can build a professional network, and are not hindered by barriers to access. They have avenues to provide meaningful feedback on their experiences throughout their program and see the realization of the changes made as a result.

To achieve this future,  we must:

• Expose learners to experiences that build social capital and self-efficacy;
• Fully fund wraparound supports and incorporate them into CTE experiences; and
• Partner with families and learners to shape the educational experience.

Principle 6: Each learner navigates ethical and innovative approaches to using emerging technologies. 

Technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning are used to safely improve instruction, skill mastery, and learner outcomes while reflecting how they are used in industry settings. Learners and educators understand how to intentionally use emerging technology with guardrails in place to ensure privacy and secure learner data.

To achieve this future, we must:

• Define a learner’s rights and responsibilities for the use of emerging technology.;
• Expand opportunities to build mastery of emerging technologies as identified by industry; and
• Leverage technology as a tool to support personalization, targeted interventions, and curricular enhancements.